A Republican political action committee has launched a digital ad campaign in Michigan in support of Vice President Kamala Harris, emphasizing her stance on Israel amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The ads target Muslim, Arab, and other voters who may be sympathetic to Palestinians, noting Harris’s consistent support for Israel in a positive light. The ads, running on Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat, are aimed at specific communities in Michigan, including Dearborn, the first Arab-majority city in the US, known for its “uncommitted” movement in the 2024 Democratic primaries. Despite only a small amount of money being spent on the ads so far, they link to a video portraying Harris as standing with Israel and putting “supporters of a free Palestine” in their place.
The ad campaign is being paid for by the Future Coalition PAC, formed in July, with Federal Election Commission documents showing the treasurer as a Republican operative. The group has yet to report any fundraising activities to the FEC, and attempts by HuffPost to contact the PAC went unanswered. Democrats in Michigan have criticized the ad as a dirty trick by Republicans to sway Arab-American and left-leaning voters against Harris. The ads are seen as an attempt to support a former President who allegedly uses the term “Palestinian” as a slur. The Harris campaign has not responded to requests for comment regarding the ad campaign and its implications.
Progressives had hoped for a shift in American policy and rhetoric towards the conflict in Gaza following Harris’s elevation as the Democratic Party’s vice-presidential nominee. The conflict, stemming from a Hamas-led attack on Israel and subsequent Israeli retaliation, has divided the Democratic Party. While critics have accused Biden of unconditional support for Israel amid alleged human rights abuses and civilian casualties, Harris has maintained a aligned approach thus far. Reports suggest she may adopt a tougher stance on Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the future, as seen during a meeting with Netanyahu where she advocated for a cease-fire and hostage release, despite his resistance. The ad’s reference to Harris “putting supporters of a Free Palestine in their place” likely alludes to a past incident where she confronted pro-Palestinian protesters at a rally in Michigan, though her tone has since become more conciliatory at similar events.
The ads are specifically targeted at Muslim communities in Michigan, a key swing state where the Muslim community heavily supported Biden in the 2020 election. Despite ongoing criticism of Biden’s handling of the conflict, Harris has not strayed from the administration’s stance on Israel. The ad campaign is viewed as an attempt by Republicans to exploit divisions within the Democratic Party on the issue, and potentially sway voters away from supporting Harris in future elections. As the conflict in Gaza continues to unfold, the political impacts of such targeted messaging remains to be seen, especially in the context of broader foreign policy debates within the US government.
